Reviews of every film I watch. The Good, The Bad and The Mothman Prophecies.

Imitation Game tells the amazing and incredibly sad story of WWII code breaker Alan Turing.

A very talented all British cast including Keira Knightley, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Charles Dance and Matthew Goode all throw themselves into Turing’s story with a level of reverence that the story absolutely deserves. Cumberbatch in particular follows up a series of impassioned interviews about Turing in the films promotional run with a brilliant performance. Anti social genius he may be but Cumberbatch’s Turing is definitely not Sherlock 2.0. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Turing is at once vulnerable and arrogant, layered and emotional without even coming close to crass sentimentality.

Keira Knightley impresses yet again with a turn that cements her growing reputation as the best British actress since Kate Winslet. More like this and Never Let Me Go and less like Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and Knightley will find herself turning her Oscar noms into wins soon enough. Speaking of which Cumberbatch must be a big contender in the best actor stakes this year. While the supporting cast are also very strong, particularly Knightley and Watchmen’s Matthew Goode, it is Cumberbatch who has taken responsibility of this project by owning the role of Alan Turing.

Cumberbatch et al have ensured The Imitation Game will be remembered as one of the best films of 2014.